Ukraine: Visiting The Motherland
Ukraine. The home to my great-grandparents and the culture which has been a great part of my identity throughout my entire life.
Although I was visiting Ukraine for the first time, it felt like coming home. I was already familiar with the food - the varenyky, borscht, holubsti. You name it - I ate it, and loved it. Strangely, everything tasted exactly like Baba's recipe - I would've sworn she had made it herself. I'm not sure if it made me happy to have a piece of home, or more aware of how much I was really missing her homemade Ukrainian recipes.
My connection to the people instantly stood out. It wasn't the off-put feeling I sense in Spain from the locals who know I'm not Spanish without even beginning a conversation with me. It wasn't the blurry connection I hold to those in the United Kingdom, where we look enough alike and speak the same language, but a strong accent separates us, keeping me held to the image of an outsider.
In Ukraine, I felt connected on a different, more personal level. A level that I knew ran so deep in my blood that we would never think to question it. A level where the people of my childhood looked so alike to these people that I almost recognized them as my own parents, to my aunts and my uncles, to the parents of my friends. Restaurants offered me menus in Ukrainian before I had the chance to speak - something I hadn't yet experienced in any other foreign country. Locals were confused when I spoke to them in English. They couldn't understand why I needed the English menu, why I couldn't read the Ukrainian one they so happily placed in on my table. And strangest of all, I had numerous seniors stopping me on the street to chatter in Ukrainian to me for what seemed like an infinite period of time. And it makes sense - if you've ever met a Ukrainian, you'll know we're famous for two qualities: always needing to be upset about something, and needing to talk to everyone about it, a lot.
Of course, we have many other qualities. For example, hospitality. A skill most cultures have, though I like to think that Ukrainians are a particularly welcoming people. It's one of our traditions to keep an empty chair at every dinner table, just in case a guest comes over. And ensuring you don't leave the table until you eat every last bite of dinner plus an entire second plate. And in the most traditional Ukrainian families, the food comes with a shot or two of vodka.
Besides the culture, the country itself holds so much beauty. I had the opportunity to travel to Lviv and Kiev, while also making a day trip to the Chernobyl site. Lviv was my charming landing point into the country, and the closest I've ever been to the town of my long-lost relatives. Walking around Christmas markets, and celebrating Ukrainian New Year's in a medieval-themed barbeque restaurant are experiences I loved through and through. And, I'm proud to admit that while the Ukrainians are most famous for vodka, they do make good beer. As an added bonus, Lviv is famous for brewing quality, strong coffee. The two things I taste-test in every country I visit, and Lviv nailed them both.
As for Kiev, there is no question on whether or not I will return. A timeless city, the city centre blends the towering, historic presence of Soviet-style architecture with pastel-coloured monasteries which could make even my snow-filled, grey-skied visit seem welcoming and special. I spent my full day in Kiev doing a free walking tour, meeting people from across the globe who enjoyed the enchanting parks and fact-filled stories about each neighbourhood. One thing I didn't get to witness was the underground restaurant which can only be accessed with a secret passcode. Of course, I know the passcode. But what would be the fun in telling you what it is? Let's just call it motivation for visiting Kiev.
Chernobyl was a last-minute addition and one which intrigued many of the people I've talked to about my trip. The experience was, simply put, eerie. Walking through the grounds, it was difficult to hide from the grim history, the feeling that something dearly tragic had happened was unavoidable and strong. It felt surreal to measure radioactivity, to see the number on the screen spike as we stepped off a road. To see the numbers climb as we entered abandoned buildings - movie theatres, swimming pools, shopping malls, kindergartens. I had trouble looking back at my pictures the day after my visit as they made me uncomfortable with the eerie feeling again. And for those worried about my well-being, no, I don't have radioactive particles inside me - I'm just as healthy now as I was before the tour! I would highly recommend this to anyone, but I would make sure to book under a guided tour.
I loved being home, in my "motherland." A cure for my homesickness when I arrived, and yet a cause of more homesickness when I left. This country is, like any other European country, one filled with pride, love, and good people. I'm so excited to go back someday.
Until the next post,
Al
My connection to the people instantly stood out. It wasn't the off-put feeling I sense in Spain from the locals who know I'm not Spanish without even beginning a conversation with me. It wasn't the blurry connection I hold to those in the United Kingdom, where we look enough alike and speak the same language, but a strong accent separates us, keeping me held to the image of an outsider.
In Ukraine, I felt connected on a different, more personal level. A level that I knew ran so deep in my blood that we would never think to question it. A level where the people of my childhood looked so alike to these people that I almost recognized them as my own parents, to my aunts and my uncles, to the parents of my friends. Restaurants offered me menus in Ukrainian before I had the chance to speak - something I hadn't yet experienced in any other foreign country. Locals were confused when I spoke to them in English. They couldn't understand why I needed the English menu, why I couldn't read the Ukrainian one they so happily placed in on my table. And strangest of all, I had numerous seniors stopping me on the street to chatter in Ukrainian to me for what seemed like an infinite period of time. And it makes sense - if you've ever met a Ukrainian, you'll know we're famous for two qualities: always needing to be upset about something, and needing to talk to everyone about it, a lot.Of course, we have many other qualities. For example, hospitality. A skill most cultures have, though I like to think that Ukrainians are a particularly welcoming people. It's one of our traditions to keep an empty chair at every dinner table, just in case a guest comes over. And ensuring you don't leave the table until you eat every last bite of dinner plus an entire second plate. And in the most traditional Ukrainian families, the food comes with a shot or two of vodka.
Besides the culture, the country itself holds so much beauty. I had the opportunity to travel to Lviv and Kiev, while also making a day trip to the Chernobyl site. Lviv was my charming landing point into the country, and the closest I've ever been to the town of my long-lost relatives. Walking around Christmas markets, and celebrating Ukrainian New Year's in a medieval-themed barbeque restaurant are experiences I loved through and through. And, I'm proud to admit that while the Ukrainians are most famous for vodka, they do make good beer. As an added bonus, Lviv is famous for brewing quality, strong coffee. The two things I taste-test in every country I visit, and Lviv nailed them both.
As for Kiev, there is no question on whether or not I will return. A timeless city, the city centre blends the towering, historic presence of Soviet-style architecture with pastel-coloured monasteries which could make even my snow-filled, grey-skied visit seem welcoming and special. I spent my full day in Kiev doing a free walking tour, meeting people from across the globe who enjoyed the enchanting parks and fact-filled stories about each neighbourhood. One thing I didn't get to witness was the underground restaurant which can only be accessed with a secret passcode. Of course, I know the passcode. But what would be the fun in telling you what it is? Let's just call it motivation for visiting Kiev.
Chernobyl was a last-minute addition and one which intrigued many of the people I've talked to about my trip. The experience was, simply put, eerie. Walking through the grounds, it was difficult to hide from the grim history, the feeling that something dearly tragic had happened was unavoidable and strong. It felt surreal to measure radioactivity, to see the number on the screen spike as we stepped off a road. To see the numbers climb as we entered abandoned buildings - movie theatres, swimming pools, shopping malls, kindergartens. I had trouble looking back at my pictures the day after my visit as they made me uncomfortable with the eerie feeling again. And for those worried about my well-being, no, I don't have radioactive particles inside me - I'm just as healthy now as I was before the tour! I would highly recommend this to anyone, but I would make sure to book under a guided tour.
I loved being home, in my "motherland." A cure for my homesickness when I arrived, and yet a cause of more homesickness when I left. This country is, like any other European country, one filled with pride, love, and good people. I'm so excited to go back someday.Until the next post,
Al
Makes me want to visit
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